Artificial limb.



No. 772,318. PATENTED 001'. 11, 1904.

. H.-WENNEBORG, JR}

- ARTIFIGIAL'LIMB.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6. 1904.

1 IE if no MODEL.

y mi

HEI-V'RY MAME BORG-.JR.

By/iffy Patented October 11, 1904.

PATENT ()FFICE.

HENRY WENNEBORG, JR, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

ARTIFICIAL LIIVIB.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 772,318, dated October11, 1904.

Application filed January 6, 1904.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY WENNEBORG, Jr. a citizen of the United States,residing at Springfield, in the county of Sangamon and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inArtificial Limbs,

of which the following is such a full, clear,

and exact description as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use my said invention.

My invention particularly relates to that class of artificial limbswhich are employed when the amputation is above the knee.

The purpose of my invention is to provide an artificial limb soconstructed and arranged that the knee action, both forward andrearward, is under control of the wearer through the instrumentality ofsuspenders passing around the shoulders of the wearer and so adjustedthat the shrugging of the shoulder on the side of the amputation willcause rearward movement of the shank member of the limb and shrugging ofthe other shoulder will cause forward movement of the same member.

With this end in view the more specific purposes of my invention are toprovide a kneejoint of improved construction; to provide improved meansfor connecting the limb members at the knee, so that they may bedisconnected without injury to the covering of the members; to provideimproved means for stopping forward movement of the shank member; toprovide means for limiting rearward movement of the shank member; toprovide means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the shank memberwith respect to the thigh member; to provide a bridge of improvedconstruction; to provide a safety device to prevent doubling up of thelimb or movement of the limb in a direction opposite to that intended bythe, wearer; to provide means to permit slight lateral oscillation ofthe limb; to provide suspenders of improved construction and improvedmeans for connecting them with the limb; to provide an improved ankleconnection so constructed that the foot has a rolling action on thelower end of the shank with a decrease of the leverage exerted by thefoot as the foot turns on the Serial No. 187,927. (N0 model.)

shank, thereby avoiding undue strain on the bolt connecting the heelwith the shank member, and to provide other minor details ofconstruction shown in the drawings and hereinafter described.

With these ends in view my invention consists in the novel features ofconstruction and combinations of parts shown in the annexed 1 drawings,to which reference is hereby made,

and hereinafter particularly described, and finally recited in theclaims.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference-letters designatelike parts in the several views, Figure 1 is an elevation of a limbdesigned for a left amputation as viewed from the right. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the same limb as viewed from the left. 3 is a frontelevation of a limb for a right amputation. Fig. 4c is an enlargedpartial vertical section on the line 4: A of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is avertical section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sideelevation of one of the pulley-plates connected with the elastic straps.Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the safety device. Fig. 8 is anoblique section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

The limb shown in the drawings consists of a thigh member A, asupplemental thigh member A, a shank member B, and a foot member D. Thestump of the amputated limb passes through the member A and rests in thesocket of the member A. A leather lining 64 extends Fig.

upward inside of the member A and extends upward through the member Aand serves as a cushion for the stump and also to prevent thepossibility of pinching the flesh of the stump between the members A andA. Pivots (0 connect the member A with the member A, so that the memberA may have slight lateral oscillation on the member A, the extent of rthe oscillation being limited by a stop a, running around the member A,against which the upper end of the member A strikes.

The oscillation of the member A on the memthe movement of the stump tothe right would cause undue pressure against the flesh on the right sideand, furthermore, would tend to lift the limb somewhat out of the socketon the opposite left side, the upper edge of the artificial limb servingas a fulcrum on which the stump would turn. This would produce pressureon the right side of the stump which would be very uncomfortable to thewearer. By connecting the member A so that the member A may oscillateslightly thereon the stump always remains firmly in position and incontact all around the rim of the member A, thereby avoiding any unduelocal pressure which would result in discomfort to the wearer.

Metal plates B are secured on and near the upper end of the shank memberby screws 6 or other suitable securing device. Serrations extend acrossthe upper member 6 of the plate B and match similar serrations on thedownwardly-extending parts a and a of the plates A and A respectively.Screws 6 pass through the parts 6, (0 b, and a and connect them firmlytogether on the shank member B. The plate A has aninternally-screw-threaded part a This construction and arrangement ofthe plates B, A and A permits the removal of the parts A A withoutdisturbing the rawhide covering which surrounds the lower part of theplates B and facilitates the adjustment and operation of the partsforming the knee-joint.

The plate A has a tapering hole a, and a tube A has an integralupwardly-extending flange a. The tube A extends transversely through themember Aand is secured to the member by a screw a passing through theflange (0 A bolt E has a screw-threaded part 0 and a tapering end e. Thebolt E screws into the plate A", extends through the tube A*, and thetapering end of the bolt fits in the tapering hole a. A screw E screwsinto the end of the bolt E and connects firmly together the parts A E,and A The tube A turns on the bolt E, so as to permit oscillation of themember B on the bolt E.

A bridge F extends transversely across the member B and is securedtherein by screws f, screwing into the member B and into the ends of thebridge F.

The limb in its complete state is usually covered with rawhide to giveit a smooth finish.

This rawhide covering is put on while damp,

and it is found in practice that the contraction of the rawhidein dryingcompresses the walls of the shank member, so as to cause the ends of thebridge to project therethrough and produce slight protuberances on thefront and back of the shank. The screws f hold the ends of the bridgefirmly in the wood of the shank and prevent its being forced outjvard,as described. An arched metal plate E lies on top of and strengthens thebridge; in its secured on the arm A".

central part. A cushion F of rubber or other yielding material,underlies the bridge F and is connected therewith by a bolt F whichpasses through the cushion and through the bridge and through the plateF and screws into a plug 1*, secured on a pipe The upper part of thepipe F is screw-threaded and screws into a block F, which is pierced bya transverse hole f" and turns on the tube A". A jam-nut F fits on thethreaded part of the pipe F and abuts against the lower end of the blockF. Holes f through the pipe serve to receive the points of a key orother instrument by which the pipe may be turned to screw into or out ofthe block F. By turning the pipe the length of the connection may beadjusted so as to cause such pressure on the cushion F" as will preventundue play or rattling of the parts. hen the parts are adjusted asdescribed, the jam-nut may be screwed up against the block F to securethe pipe in position.

The upper parts of the plates A and A are segmental and havecircumferential grooves and a, respectively. A grooved pulley A turns ona screw (0", screwing into the member A. A similar grooved pulley Aturns on a stud-screw A secured on an arm A which turns on a screwscrewing into the member A. A pawl A turns on a stud-screw a, WVhen thatend of the arm on which the pawl is mounted is depressed, the end of thepawl enters notches a, extending around the upper edge of the plate Aand stops further movement of the plate, as hereinafter explained. A pin(0 limits the movement of the pawl A A spring A is connected with themember A by a screw a and abuts against the stop a on the member A, andthe lower end of the spring bears against the upper edge of the arm AElasticweb straps G have their upper ends secured on the member A.Pulley-plates Gr are suitably connected with the lower ends of thestraps G. Grooved pulleys G are mounted to turn in the forks of theplates G. The elastic straps G pull upward and keep the cords G taut andprevent the cords from running out of the grooves in the pulleys A A andthe plates A and A Olampingplates G are connected with the plates G byscrews g and securely connect the upper ends of the cords G with theplates G. Clamping-plates a. are connected with the plates A and Arespectively, by screws a. respectively lie in the grooves a and a ofthe plates A and A and the lower ends of the cords are secured to theplates by the clamping devices a Cords G pass around the grooved pulleysG through loops 9, and are connected with suspenders G which pass aroundthe shoulders of the wearer. When applied to a left amputation, asshown, the suspenders connected with the cords on the inner side of thelimb pass around the right shoul- The cords Gr L der and suspendersconnected with the cords on the outer side of the limb pass around theleft shoulder.

The cords G and G are exactly alike and are composed of a small roundflexible chain g molded in rubber, the rubber being covered with thinsoft leather, cemented thereon. This construction produoes'a cord whichis strong, flexible. and noiseless in operation.

By reason of the construction and connection of the parts as describedthe shrugging of the right shoulder will pull on the cord G passingaround the inside plate A and will cause the shank member to turnforwardly. Shrugging of the left shoulder will pull on the cord passingaround the outside plate A so as to cause the shank member to turnrearwardly. In case the wearer should wish to move the shank memberforwardly, or if from any cause, such as striking an obstacle, the shankmember should tend to move rearwardly contrary to the will of theoperator he would then shrug the right shoulder, thereby pulling upwardon the cord G connected to operate the plate A. If, however, from anycause the shank member should fail to respond to the pull on the cordtoturn the shank member forwardly as desired,a further shrugging of theshoulder, and consequently a stronger pull on the cord A, pullingagainst the pulley A", would raise that end of the arm A on which the"pulley is mounted to cause the point of the pawl A to enter the notchesa, thereby locking the plate A, so as to prevent backward turning of theshank member. Immediately upon discontinuing the pull on the cord G thespring A, having been previously compressed by the upward movement ofthe arm A", would react to force the arm downward into its initialposition, thereby releasing the pawl and permitting normal action of thelimb.

The strength of the spring A is such that it will normally hold the armA down, so as to prevent lifting of the arm when there is such a pull onthe cord G as is necessary to operate the shank member under ordinaryconditions; but when there is an excessive pull on the cord the springwill yield and permit thearm to raise and bring the point of the pawlinto engagement in the notches in the plate A as already described. I

From the foregoing it may be seen that the construction and arrangementof the parts is such that the movement of shrugging of the shoulder onthe amputated side when the shank is moving forward and the leg isalmost straight tends to reverse the movement of the shank, and therebycheck its forward movement to such extent as to prevent it from stoppingtoo suddenly with a thud when the leg reaches the limit of its forwardmovement. In other words, the shrugging of the left shoulder acts to,cause the shank to move rearward. Hence such shrugging at the properinstant serves to prevent excessive forward movement of the shank.

By controlling the rearward movement of the limb by the suspenderpassing around the shoulder on the amputated side and control-- ling theforward movement of the limb by the suspender passing around theshoulder on the other side the wearer is enabled to move his footforward without a slam and is enabled to step backward naturally.

The suspenders passing around the shoulders and connected with the shankmember as described enable the wearer to raise his foot and step over anobstacle in a natural manner without sidewise movement of the limb. Thisconstruction also gives the wearer control not only of the direction ofmovement of the shank member,but also gives'him control of the speed ofits movement, so that he may move it in either direction and may varythe speed of its movement, making it slow or quick, as occasion maydemand.

After some experience in the use of the limb the wearer becomes soaccustomed to controlling the action' of the limb by the shrugging ofthe shoulders that the control of the move- 7 ments of the limbpractically becomes a control by reflex action of the brain exercisedwithout any conscious forethought or predeterminedaction on the part ofthe wearer. This double control of the movements of the limb by theshoulders, one shoulder causing it to move in one direction and theother causing it to move in the opposite direction, is a new andvaluable feature of my invention.

In artificial limbs having a knee-joint it is desirable for theknee-joint to turn sufliciently to kneel and to limit the turning of theshank member, so that itshall not turn rearward farther than isnecessary for that purpose. To accomplish this result, I provide at thelower end of the thigh member a ledge a2, runninghalf-way aroundthelower part of the thigh member, and I provide at the upperend of theshank member B a metal rim 6 which strikes against the ledge a andlimits rearward turning of the shank member. The rim 6 also serves tostrengthen the upper part of the member B. A toothed segment-plate D,

of rawhide, is secured to the lowerend of the shank member B, and asimilar segment-plate D is connected with the foot member D. The teethof the plates D and D intermesh and have a rolling and noiseless contactwith each other. A wedge D slidable under the segment-plate D serves toraise or lower the segment-plate and to adjust the angle of the footwith respect'to the shank. Bolts D and'D have at theirupper endcross-heads d, having chisel edges which bear on slotted plates Dsecured in the lower part of the shank member. Cushions D of rubber orother yielding material, surround the bolts between the wedge D and theheads of the bolts. In walking when the pressure is against the too itcauses the foot to turn with a rolling action on the lower end of theshank and causes the heel to pull downward on the bolt D", so as tocompress the cushion D and the cushion yields, so as to produce a steadymovement of the foot without jerk or jar. Vhen the pressure is on theheel, the bolt D and its cushion are brought into action in like manner.

hichever way the foot is turned the rawhide gears, the bolts, and thecushions cooperate to produce smooth and uniform action of the foot freefrom jerk or jar. Normally the bolts and cushions serve to retain thefoot in that angle with respect to the shank member to which it isadjusted by means of the wedge D It will be observed that when the shankis in a vertical position, as shown, the fulcrum on which the foot turnsis at the center of the plate D; but when the toe is turned upward thefulcrum travels forward. Hence the leverage of the foot is shortened,and it acts with less power against the bolt D* than it would do if thefulcrum remained stationary and central. In like manner when the heel israised the fulcrum moves rearward. By reason of this shifting of thefulcrum forward or rearward the leverage of the toe member of the footor the heel part of the foot, as the case may be, is diminished to suchextent as to materially lessen the danger of undue strain and consequentbreakage of the parts.

At the lower end of the member A is a slot a, adapted to permitoscillation of the block F in the slot, and a screw A extends throughthe wall of the member A and has at its inner strikes. By turning thescrew A inward or outward the position of the pad may be changed, so asto give the shank member the desired adjustment with respect to themember A. The pad A being of yielding material deadens sound andprevents shock when the shank member, turning quickly forward, stopsagainst the pad.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A knee connection for artificial limbs, consisting of serrated platesattachable to the shank member of the limb, complemental serrated platesmatching said first-named serrated plates and a connecting deviceconnecting said complemental serrated plates; in combination with ashank member, securing devices securing said serrated plates in pairs onsaid shank member, and a thigh member in which the device connecting thecomplemental serrated plates is turnable, as set forth.

2. Aknee-adjuster for artificial limbs, consisting of a threaded tubularmember, a block into which said tubular member screws, a jamnut abuttingagainst said block, a plug secured on said tubular member, and a boltc0nnected with said plug; in combination with a shank member astationary bridge in said shank member, a cushion adjacent to saidbridge, a connecting device transverse to said shank member and on whichsaid block turns, and a thigh member in which said connecting deviceturns, as set forth.

3. A knee-adjuster for artificial limbs, composed a bolt transverse tothe shank member, an adjusting device connectible with the bridge andturning around said bolt, and a screw turnable in the thigh member andcarrying a cushion; in combination with a thigh member on which saidscrew is mounted, a shank member having a bridge with which saidadjusting device is connected, said shank member being oscillative onsaid thigh member, as set forth.

at. In an artificial limb, the combination of a thigh member having aledge extending practically half-way around its lower part, a shankmember having a metal-bound upper edge abutting against said ledge onthe thigh member, and a connecting device pivotally connecting saidshank member with said thigh member, as set forth. I

5. In an artificial limb, the combination of a thigh member, pulleys onsaid thigh member, a shank member oscillative on said thigh member,segment-plates secured on said shank member, cords connected with saidsegmentplates and passing around said pulleys, and suspenders connectedwith said cords and respectively passing around the right and leftshoulders of the wearer, the suspender on one shoulder operating tocause the shank memher to turn forwardly and the suspender on the othershoulder operating to cause the shank member to turn rearwardly, as setforth.

6. A safety device for artificial limbs, embracing a notchedsegment-plate, an oscillative arm, a pulley and a pawl mounted on saidarm, a spring acting against said arm and a cord secured to saidsegment-plate and passing around said pulley; in combination with athigh member on which said oscillative arm is mounted, an oscillativeshank member on which said segment-plate is secured, and means forpulling said cord, as set forth.

7. In an artificial limb, the combination of a thigh member, astationary tube transverse to said thigh member, a shank member,serrated plates secured to said shank member, fitting on said serratedplates, two serrated segment-plates one having a screw-threaded hole andthe other having a tapering hole, a bolt screwing into thescrew-threaded hole in one of said segment-plates, as set forth.

8. In an artificial limb, the combination of a thigh member, atransverse tube fixed in said thigh member, a shankmember, serratedplates secured on said shank member, segment-plates fitting on saidserrated plates respectively, one of said segment-plates having ascrew-threaded hole and the other having a tapering hole, a boltscrewing into the screwthreaded hole in one of said segment-plates andhaving a tapering end fitting in the tapering hole in the othersegment-plate, and a screw passing through one of said segmentplates andscrewing into a hole in the tapering end of said bolt, as set forth.

9. In an artificial limb, the combination of a thigh member, a shankoscillative on said thigh member, and a supplemental thigh memberpivotally connected with said first-named thigh member and oscillativein a direction diametrically opposite to the oscillation of the shankmember, as set forth,

10. In an artificial limb, the combination of a shank, a toothedsegment-plate secured on the lower end of said shank,stationarylbeairing-blocks transverse to said shank, boltshavingknii'e-edgesturningonsaidbearing-blocks, a foot, a toothed segmentplate connected with said foot and meshing with the segmentplate on theshank, cushions surrounding said bolts, and a wedge slidable under saidlastnamed toothed segment-plate, as set forth.

11. In an artificial limb, the combination of a thigh member, a shankpivotally connected with said thigh member, grooved segmentplatessecured on said shank, elastic straps, secured on said thigh member,pulley-plates secured on said elastic straps, pulleys on saidpulley-plates, cords passing around the pulleys on said pulley-plates,suspenders connected with said cords, pulleys on the thigh member, andcords secured to the segmentplate and passing around the pulleys on thethigh member and connected with the pulleyplate, as set forth.

a In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, at Springfield,Illinois, this 28th day of December, 1903.

HENRY WENNEBORG, JR. Witnesses:

J. H. LORD, MAY F. RYAN

